Safeties and Cornerbacks Both Young and Athletic
August 04, 2003 | Football
Aug. 4, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Personally coached by Mike Gillhamer, the strong safety and rover position will act as the quarterbacks on defense and the first-year U of L coordinator has a solid crop of heady and athletic prospects from which to choose.
A tremendous playmaker with a nose for the ball, junior Kerry Rhodes garnered valuable playing time and experience while seeing action behind and alongside the dynamic safety duo of Curry Burns and Anthony Floyd over the last two seasons. A former prep quarterback, Rhodes has the smarts and all the physical tools to rank among the top safeties in C-USA.
Looking to garner his first taste of game action, redshirt freshman Abe Brown, rated the No. 10 safety in the country coming out of high school, has good size and will compete for playing time.
Sophomore Jon Gannon missed spring practice and is trying to rehab a possible season-ending injury.
Sophomore Brent Johnson, a tremendous athlete who matches physical skills with the ability to master the defensive scheme, is the likely candidate to start at the strong safety position. A special teams contributor and a reserve at bandit a year ago, Johnson could be one of the most impressive athletes on field. Now in his fourth season in the program, junior Ray Childs saw action in four games and could be ready to make an impact this season.
Cornerbacks
One of the youngest positions on defense, the Cardinals will rely on a youthful group to support the return of the team's lone returning starter in Josh Minkins. The 5-10 senior is the anchor of a young Cardinal secondary that will count on a senior, a sophomore, and three freshmen to stabilize one of the game's most difficult positions.
A veteran who has started all but one of the Cards' 26 games over the last two seasons, Minkins is a physical defender who came into his own a year ago. An outspoken leader, Minkins tied for the team lead for interceptions, ranked second in pass breakups and was seventh on the squad in tackles. Minkins will be pushed by senior J.T. Haskins, who has garnered plenty of experience as a reserve over the last three seasons, and sophomore Domonique Dunbar.
Haskins saw action in all 13 games last season, and will be relied upon to provide depth and leadership at corner. Dunbar saw limited play last year, but will be pressed into action in 2003.
Making the switch from wideout to cornerback, redshirt-freshman Gavin Smart will fight for the starting job with the loss of Laroni Gallishaw. A speedy prospect with great hands, Smart made a quick transition in the spring to his new position, and could be a sleeper in the defensive backfield.
Coming Tuesday: A Preview of the Special Teams
